In-situ real-time monitoring technique and apparatus for endpoint detection of thin films during chemical/mechanical polishing planarization

ABSTRACT

A technique and apparatus is disclosed for the optical monitoring and measurement of a thin film (or small region on a surface) undergoing thickness and other changes while it is rotating. An optical signal is routed from the monitored area through the axis of rotation and decoupled from the monitored rotating area. The signal can then be analyzed to determine an endpoint to the planarization process. The invention utilizes interferometric and spectrophotometric optical measurement techniques for the in situ, real-time endpoint control of chemical-mechanical polishing planarization in the fabrication of semiconductor or various optical devices. The apparatus utilizes a bifurcated fiber optic cable to monitor changes on the surface of the thin film.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 07/996,817, filed on Dec. 28, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,529 the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a technique and apparatus for the optical monitoring and measurement of a surface undergoing rotation, particularly for in situ, real-time monitoring of any thin film undergoing rotation and simultaneous dimensional changes. It is particularly useful in the field of wafer planarization for producing wafers of extreme flatness and uniformity that are desirable in the production of semiconductor and integrated circuits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As microelectronic device dimensions continue to shrink, patterning problems increasingly hinder integrated circuit and semiconductor device fabrication. Semiconductor device fabrication often requires extremely planar surfaces and thin films of precise thicknesses. The surfaces requiring planarization and thickness control in semiconductor devices include areas or layers of dielectric material (such as SiO2) on the surface of semiconducting materials and other device pattern layers. The insulating dielectric layers and other device layers need to be extremely planar because irregularities and rough topography lead to fabrication problems, including Depth of Focus budget (hereafter DOF) problems. Since an irregularity in the surface can cause part of the surface to be out of focus at a particular distance between the optical system and the wafer, errors in pattern formations can occur. Also, the thickness of layers needs to be precisely controlled because variations in thickness may affect the electrical properties of the layers and adjacent device patterns, particularly in the interconnections between the different layers of microelectronic devices.

The precise control of layer thickness is also crucial in semiconductor device fabrication. In VLSI technology, certain layers of multi-layer devices are generally electrically interconnected. These layers are also typically insulated from various levels by thin layers of insulating material such as SiO.sub.2. In order to interconnect the device layers, contact holes are often formed in the insulating layers to provide electrical access therebetween. If the insulating layer is too thick, the layers may not connect, if the layer is too thin, the hole formation process may damage the underlying device layer.

Due to the various inadequacies of other planarization methods (such as spin-on-glass and etchback), Chemical/Mechanical Polishing (hereafter CMP) planarization machines and other lapping machines have been developed and employed to provide planar surfaces for semiconductor device fabrication. Generally, CMP is a technique of planarizing wafers through the use of a polishing pad attached to a rotating table. The wafer is held by a chuck above a polishing pad which rotates on a spindle. The wafer is pressed downward against the polishing pad. The nap of the rotating pad removes bits of the film layer, thereby planarizing the surface. A solution of pH controlled fluid and colloidal silica particles called slurry flows between the pad and the wafer to remove material from the polishing area and to enhance the planarization of the wafer surface.

A typical method of determining the endpoint of CMP and lapping machines is to measure the amount of time needed to planarize standard wafer(s), and then to process the remaining wafers for a similar amount of time. In practice, this process is very inefficient because it is very difficult to determine the precise rate of film removal, as polishing conditions and the polishing pad change from wafer to wafer over time. As a result, it is often necessary to inspect the wafers individually after planarization, which is time-consuming and expensive. Thus, the CMP process could be significantly improved by introducing an in situ, real-time measurement and control system.

The ability to monitor and control the CMP process has been directly and indirectly addressed by several techniques. One method is based on measuring capacitance (U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,421). The theory behind this method is that the electrical capacitance of the wafer changes as the wafer surface is planarized. The two primary drawbacks of the method are its limited accuracy and its pattern dependency. Its accuracy can be compromised by the patterns of underlying layers which may also affect the capacitance of the entire system.

One direct method has been proposed which uses laser light to make interferometric readings on the polished side (front side) of a section of the wafer which overhangs the polishing pad (U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,796). The disadvantages of this system are that it requires substantial modification of the conventional CMP process since part of the wafer must overhang the edge of the polishing pad, leading to polishing uniformity problems, and also, the monitored spot on the rotating wafer must be coordinated with the apparatus underneath the wafer overhang.

An indirect method of monitoring CMP has been developed which senses the change in friction between the wafer and the polishing surface (U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,015). The change in friction may be produced when, for instance, an oxide coating of the wafer is removed and a harder material is contacted by the polishing pad. The accuracy of the method suffers from variations in changing pad conditions. In addition, use of the method may be limited by the need to sense the friction generated by different materials.

Another indirect method of monitoring CMP has been developed utilizing the conductivity of the slurry during polishing (U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,895). When metal layers are exposed during the CMP process, the electrical resistivity of the slurry and wafer changes due to the exposed metal on the wafer surface. The obvious drawback of this method is that it requires having exposed metal surfaces for monitoring. This is not possible for most types of polishing situations.

Another indirect method of monitoring CMP has been developed utilizing the waste slurry off the pad during planarization (U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,258). Certain materials are imbedded in the dielectric layer and monitored as they are planarized and fall off the polishing pad. The obvious drawbacks to this method include the time delay between planarization and when the slurry reaches the edge of the pad (estimated to be approximately 30 seconds) and also the low levels of sensitivity and signal noise introduced by the materials left over from the previous wafers. This method is not an active, real-time method.

These and other endpoint detection techniques do not offer effective and accurate control of the CMP process in an in situ, real-time manner. These schemes either compromise the accuracy of the endpoint detection and/or require significant alterations of the CMP process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of a representative semiconductor device with a device pattern on a substrate of semiconductive material and a thick, unplanarized dielectric layer over the pattern and substrate.

FIG. 2 illustrates the semiconductor device of FIG. 1 after the dielectric layer has undergone CMP planarization.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a rotating coupler fitted with fiber-optic cable.

FIG. 4 is a side view representation of the fiber-optic embodiment of the present invention integrated with a CMP assembly. The fiber-optic apparatus is pictured in both a front side and a back side approach.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a light source which transmits light in the direction of the wafer, where it is reflected off the wafer's surface and the reflection is monitored by a photodetector which converts the light signal to an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be relayed to an analyzer after passing through an electrical slip ring.

FIG. 6 illustrates a wafer-holding chuck shown in FIG. 4, wherein air has been pumped into a cavity above the wafer to compensate for loss of pressure against the back of the wafer where holes are located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to avoid the above-mentioned problems by allowing for the monitoring of a region of a film on a substrate undergoing thickness changes, thus enabling endpoint detection in an in situ, real-time manner. In addition, if the monitored region is sufficiently small, a spot on the wafer can be dedicated for endpoint purposes. The dedicated endpoint spot can remove signal problems associated with the layer's topology, patterns, and multiple film layers.

The present invention thus provides an apparatus and method for the optical illumination and monitoring of a section on a thin film layer undergoing dimensional changes. Light from a light source is transmitted to a monitoring area on the layer, preferably through the back side of the substrate, and relayed back to an analyzer which evaluates changes in thickness of the substrate based on interferometric, spectrophotometric, and/or absorption changes. In a preferred embodiment, the light signal is advantageously measured from the back side of the substrate, which facilitates implementation since the monitored region of the wafer and the monitoring apparatus do not need to be timed and coordinated during the process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of monitoring the thickness change of a film on a substrate comprising illuminating a section of the film through the back side (the side which is not being processed) of the substrate, measuring a light signal returning from the illuminated section, and determining change in thickness of the film on a substrate based on the measured light signal. Thickness change can be determined by an analyzer, which analyzes interferometric, spectrophotometric, absorption, and/or other optical changes in the measured light signal. optionally, if the substrate is undergoing rotation, the method further comprises the step of relaying the light signal to a rotating coupler which links the signal to an analyzer.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of monitoring the change in thickness of a film on a substrate comprising illuminating a section of the film from the front side (i.e., the side being polished) of the substrate, measuring a light signal returning from the illuminated section, and relaying the light signal to a rotating coupler which connects to an analyzer, and monitoring thickness change with the analyzer, which analyzes interferometric, spectrophotometric, absorption, and/or other optical changes in the measured light signal.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for monitoring thickness change in a film on a substrate comprising a light source which illuminates a section of the film from either the front side or back side of the substrate to generate a light signal, means for detecting the light signal, means for analyzing the light signal, a rotating coupler for relaying the light signal from the illuminated section to the means for analyzing the light signal, and optionally one or more focusing lenses.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises

-   -   (i) a bifurcated fiber-optic cable having a common leg and two         bifurcated legs,     -   (ii) a rotating fiber-optic cable with two ends,     -   (iii) a light source,     -   (iv) means for analyzing a light signal, and     -   (v) a rotating coupler having a stationary end and a rotating         end,     -   wherein the first bifurcated leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic         cable is connected to the light source, the second bifurcated         leg is connected to the means for analyzing a light signal, and         the common leg is connected to the stationary end of the         rotating coupler,     -   and wherein one end of the rotating fiber-optic cable is         connected to the rotating end of the rotating coupler and the         other end is held in close proximity to the film on a substrate         undergoing processing.

“Close proximity” includes any distance between the end of the rotating fiber-optic cable and the film on the substrate that is close enough to permit effective illumination of the monitored area of the film and effective reception of the returning light signal. A preferred distance is less than or equal to about 1 cm.

The rotating fiber-optic cable serves both to transmit light from the light source to the illuminated section and to transmit the returning light signal on its way back from the illuminated section. Light from the light source travels down the first bifurcated leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic cable and passes through the rotating coupler down the rotating fiber-optic cable to illuminate the film on a substrate. The returning light signal is relayed by the second bifurcated leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic cable to the analyzer. In addition, more than one section of the film on a substrate can be monitored at a time by using multiple legs of rotating fiber-optic cables which pass through one or more rotating couplers.

Preferably, the fiber-optic cable comprises multiple optic fibers bundled together. However, the fiber-optic cable may comprise a single fiber. Alternatively, it may be a combination of bundled fiber-optic cable and single fiber-optic cable. Alternatively, it may be multiple fiber-optic cables bundled together.

The term “substrate” includes any insulating, conductive, and semiconductive materials known in the art. Preferred substrates are wafers such as silicon wafers, gallium-arsenide wafers, and silicon on insulator (SOI) wafers.

The term “film on a substrate” includes various dielectric layers known in the art, such as SiO.sub.2, metal layers such as tungsten and aluminum, and various other films such as silicon films found on the substrate as defined above. The films also include resist layers.

The film undergoing thickness change, for example, may be a film on a substrate in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, a chemical vapor deposition process, a resist development process, a post-exposure bake, a spin coating process, or a plasma etching process. In the CMP embodiment, the film is located at the interface of the substrate and the polishing pad.

The term “light source” includes any source of light capable of illuminating a film on a substrate in the range of about 200 to about 11,000 nanometers in wavelength. If the light signal is measured from the back side of the substrate, the wavelength is preferably between about 1,000 and about 11,000 nanometers. A preferred back side wavelength is 1,300 nanometers. If the light signal is measured from the front side, then the wavelength is preferably between about 200 and about 11,000 nanometers. A preferred front side wavelength is 632.8 nanometers. Preferably, the section of the film on the substrate is continuously illuminated by the light source, although illumination can be at timed intervals.

Suitable means for analyzing the light signal, or “analyzers”, include photodetectors, interferometers, spectrophotometers, and other devices known in the art for measuring interferometric, spectrophotometric, absorption, and/or other optical changes.

Suitable rotating couplers include any couplers known in the art for coupling a rotating member to a non-rotating member provided that light is permitted to pass between the ends of the two members. Such couplers are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,398,791 and 4,436,367. Preferably, the means for coupling the rotating fiber-optic cable to the bifurcated fiber-optic cable which is not rotating comprises a rotating member which attaches to one end of the rotating fiber-optic cable. The rotating member is fitted into a stationary member of the rotating coupler which is attached to the common leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic cable. The coupler is designed such that the end of the rotating fiber-optic cable is held in close proximity, preferably less than 1 cm, to the common leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic cable, thereby permitting light to pass between the two ends. Optionally, the cable ends can be fitted with focusing lenses to enhance signal transmission.

The rotating coupler can be replaced with other types of couplers, including off-axis fiber-optic couplers, electrical slip rings, or a combination of the aforementioned couplers, or with other means of signal rotation decoupling.

Typical CMP machines in which the methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used are those produced by R. Howard Strasbaugh, Inc. in San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Westech Systems, Inc. in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Cybeq Systems in Menlo Park, Calif.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate CMP planarization of a semiconductor device wafer. In FIG. 1 is shown a representative semiconductor device, which includes a dielectric layer such as SiO2, 1, deposited on the surface of a device pattern, 2, formed on a silicon wafer substrate, 3. The dielectric layer may be formed in a manner such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of oxide, spin-on-glass, or by other means. FIG. 2 shows the wafer of FIG. 1, but with the dielectric layer, 1, planarized to a preselected thickness after CMP. The device pattern, 2, and the wafer substrate, 3, are relatively unchanged in this process.

FIG. 3 is a side view representation of a preferred embodiment of the optical rotating coupler apparatus. FIG. 3 shows a bifurcated fiber-optic cable, 4, one bifurcated leg of which connects to a light source, 7, and another bifurcated leg of which connects to a photodetector, 8, which in turn is connected to signal conditioning electronics and a computer processing and control system (not shown). The common leg of the bifurcated fiber-optic cable, 4, connects to an optical rotating coupler, 5. A rotating fiber-optic cable, 6, extends from the rotating coupler to the area of the wafer substrate to be monitored. The fiber-optic cables, 4 and 6, may be either single fiber or bundled fiber types. Also, it is possible to use several fiber-optic cables or fibers instead of one cable or fiber. Also, it is possible to make a hybrid single fiber and bundled fiber cable embodiment, e.g., cable 4 is single fiber and cable 6 is bundled cable. Focusing lenses are not necessary at the monitoring end of cable 6 if the cable is fixed securely and closely enough to the monitoring area of the wafer substrate. Preferably, the distance between the end of cable 6 and the wafer substrate is less than 1 cm.

FIG. 4 is a side view representation of a typical CMP planarizer or lapping machine adapted with the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. The apparatus may be set up in the planarizer from a back side approach with 4, 5, and 6, or from a front side approach with 4′, 5′, and 6′. Only one of the approaches, either back side or front side, is needed at any one time for effective monitoring. In FIG. 4, the wafer holding-chuck and spindle, 12, is shown integrated with a rotating coupler, 5, for the back side approach. The bifurcated fiber-optic cable, 4, is fed into the spindle, 12, and connected to the stationary portion of the rotating coupler, 5, as shown in FIG. 3. The rotating fiber-optic cable, 6, is fed down the spindle to the monitored area of the wafer, 11, which monitored area is optionally a patternless area such as a clear area or die or which is optionally an area having a pattern. The wafer, 11 is held to the chuck by a mounting pad or “fixture” which is generally attached to the chuck by a chemical adhesive. The fixture is often composed of a base matrix held together by a polyurethane surface layer. The outer surface which holds and presses against the back of the wafer, grips the wafer, and also provides uniform support for the wafer.

In the other embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the rotating table base, 10, and platen, 9, which holds the polishing pad is shown integrated with a rotating coupler, 5′, for a front side approach to the wafer. The bifurcated fiber-optic cable, 4′, is fed into the rotating table base, 10, and connected to the stationary portion of the rotating coupler, 5′. The rotating fiber-optic cable, 6′, connected to the rotating shaft of the rotating coupler, 5′, is adjacent to the monitoring area of the wafer. As the polishing pad attached to the platen, 9, is generally perforated, the end of the fiber-optic cable, 6′, can be embedded in one of the holes. Translucent slurry solution flows in between the polishing pad and the wafer, scattering most visible light wavelengths. Optionally, signal enhancement means can be used to compensate for slurry scattering effects of different light wavelengths. In the preferred embodiment, the source light for the front side method is 632.8 nanometer wavelength light, a wavelength balancing the concerns of light signal transmission through the slurry, and also accuracy of measurement. The rotating fiber-optic cable, 6′, embedded in the polishing pad must transmit and receive the interference signal when it is positioned over the measurement area on the wafer, 11. This is coordinated so that the monitoring optics pass over the monitored area on the wafer using ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of an electrical slip ring assembly. A light source, 14, transmits light to a point on the wafer, 11, which causes the light to reflect in the direction of the photodetector or other light-monitoring electronics, 13, which convert the light signal into an electrical signal. The electrical signal may then be passed on to an analyzer, 12, and finally, to an electrical slip ring, 15, where it is decoupled from rotation and passed on to other analyzers which monitor the progress of CMP.

FIG. 6 illustrates a wafer-holding chuck and spindle, 12, wherein the rotating fiber-optic cable, 6, has been routed from the coupler, 5, through the wafer-holding chuck, 12, to a point behind the wafer, 11, during the CMP process. If the pad or “fixture” which holds the wafer does not allow the passage of light, then it can be perforated to provide an optical access to the wafer. In order to compensate for the loss of pressure against the wafer at the point of optical access, air may optionally be pumped into the cavity to press against the wafer and compensate for the loss of pressure. Alternatively, if the fixture is able to transmit light, then the perforation for optical access is not necessary.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for chemical mechanical polishing of a wafer, comprising: (a) a platen supporting a polishing surface; (b) a chuck to hold the wafer against the polishing surface; (c) a motor coupled to at least one of the polishing surface and the chuck to generate relative motion therebetween; and (d) an endpoint detector, comprising (c1) a light source operable to generate a light beam that is directed through the polishing surface to the wafer and produce, from the light beam that is directed through the polishing surface, a light beam reflected from the wafer, and (c2) a receiver operable to receive the light beam reflected from the wafer, wherein the endpoint detector is operable to determine, based on the light beam reflected from the wafer, when an end point is reached.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser source and the light beam is a laser beam.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the receiver is an interferometer.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a fiber optic cable situated to convey light to and from the wafer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the fiber optic cable is situated to convey light from the light source through the polishing surface to the wafer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the fiber optic cable is situated to convey light reflected from the wafer to the receiver.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the fiber optic cable is bifurcated.
 8. A chemical mechanical polisher, comprising: a polishing surface that is movable relative to a substrate; at least one light source operable to transmit light through the polishing surface to a film on the substrate and produce, from the light that is transmitted through the polishing surface, light reflected from the film on the substrate; and at least one device operable to detect a change in the light reflected from the film on the substrate and determine, based on the detected change, when an end point is reached.
 9. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein the at least one device comprises a detector to detect interferometric change in the light reflected from the film and an analyzer to control the chemical mechanical polisher in response to the detected interferometric change.
 10. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 9, wherein the analyzer is operable to analyzes interferometric change in the light reflected from the film to determine a change in dimension of the film.
 11. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is operable to analyzes interferometric change in the light reflected from the film using interferometry at one wavelength.
 12. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is operable to analyzes interferometric change in the light reflected from the film using spectrophotometry over a continuous range of wavelengths.
 13. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 10, wherein the analyzer is operable to analyzes interferometric change in the light reflected from the film to determine a change in thickness or planarity of the film.
 14. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein light transmitted through the polishing surface and the light reflected from the film are transmitted through a rotating fiber optic cable embedded in a rotating platen below the polishing pad.
 15. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein the at least one light source is operable to transmit light to only a section of the film.
 16. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein the light source is operable to transmit light to more than one section of the film.
 17. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein the light source is operable to produces a light of at least one wavelength between 200 and 11,000 nanometers.
 18. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 8, wherein the light source is operable to produces laser light.
 19. A chemical mechanical polisher, comprising: a polishing material having at least one optical access through which light can be transmitted to a portion of a film on a substrate; a platen to support the polishing material; an interferometer operable to detect interferometric changes in light reflected from the film and passing through the optical access in the polishing material; and a device operable to determine, based on the detected interferometric changes, when an end point is reached.
 20. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 19, wherein the at least one optical access in the polishing pad is transmissive to light comprising at least one wavelength between 200 and 11,000 nanometers.
 21. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 19, wherein the at least one optical access includes a portion of a fiber optic cable.
 22. The chemical mechanical polisher of claim 19, further comprising a focusing lens to enhance transmission of light passing between the polishing material and the film on the substrate. 